Chapter 6 — Riding on the Wind

In the past, when I lived amidst the vast fields with sweat dripping onto the soil, every time I raised my head to gaze at the distant mountains, I only saw towering peaks of insurmountable height. Now, seated within the Heaven-designated chamber of an imperial capital inn, looking at those very same mountains, they appeared no different than before, yet they now revealed a lush, serene blue amidst the crisp, clear air. A sudden realization dawned upon me. Those jagged, towering stone peaks, viewed from behind the crimson silk curtains of the capital’s noble households, were merely a picturesque backdrop of hazy mist meant for leisurely appreciation. I finally understood why my late father had stubbornly clung to the imperial examinations for his entire life. I also understood why Xie Yuan had spent his whole existence chasing fame and fortune. The intoxicating taste of power was, indeed, overwhelmingly magnificent. Without knowing where I found the sudden courage, I abruptly stood up, and with a resounding thud, sank to my knees before Zhuan Heqiao.

Princess, seeking vengeance is no longer the sole purpose of my existence.

I wish to pursue status and supreme power. I implore you, taking pity on our shared destiny, to grant me the favour of an eastern wind!

Zhuan Heqiao froze, falling silent for a fleeting moment. She clearly had not anticipated such words from me. Slowly, she asked:

Your handwriting is exceptionally refined. Did you study books in the past?

My father was a scholar. He personally taught me how to write.

Very well, then you shall return to the estate with me.

Many thanks.

I kowtowed deeply, striking the floor with a heavy thud. The moment Zhuan Heqiao granted her consent, I lost no time and packed my meager belongings at lightning speed. Leaving two strings of copper coins for the innkeeper, I thanked him for his care during my stay. Initially, I had assumed Zhuan Heqiao was bringing me back to her mansion to serve as a maid or female attendant. To my utter astonishment, she treated me as an honoured guest, even inviting renowned scholars to tutor me in my studies. Whenever she ventured out into the city, she frequently brought me along. Plagued by a mixture of joy and apprehension, I watched as she merely smiled and remarked:

What is Miss Li afraid of? Both you and I have been reborn; this twist of fate rightfully belongs to you.

Meeting her radiant smile, my tense heart gradually eased. One day, she took me out to tour the bustling streets. Observing the dense, lively crowds, I asked with curiosity:

What day is it today?

Today is the day the spring examination results are announced.

The spring examination results!

Having never witnessed such a spectacle before, I could not resist poking my head out of the carriage window. Day had fully broken. Beneath the crimson walls outside the Ministry of Rites examination hall, people were packed shoulder to shoulder in a dense sea of humanity. The scholars standing at the very front were deathly pale, their fingers gripping their sleeves so tightly that their knuckles had turned white and bloodless. Murmurs rippled through the restless crowd. Some softly recited ancient sage texts. Others repeatedly touched the cold, dried rations they had kept warmed against their chests all through the night. Yet the majority merely stood on tiptoe, straining their eyes toward the peeling, vermilion gates. Suddenly, the resonant chime of a gong pierced the air, sharp as tearing silk. The results were out! The crowd fell dead silent for a heartbeat, only to erupt the next second. Some laughed like madmen, while others collapsed in despair. The clamour of the entire street rose as one. Cries of grief, bursts of laughter, frantic roars, and thunderous applause mingled with the scent of burning spirit money and firecracker smoke, stinging the eyes of all who stood there. Every conceivable state of human existence was on display here. Yet, at the very least, these men still possessed the chance to stake everything on their own futures. On the fringes of the chaotic mob stood a figure of absolute composure. He gazed at the public roster of successful candidates, a knowing smile playing in his eyes as though everything was firmly within his grasp. It was Xie Yuan. I hastily pulled my head back inside the carriage.

Xie Yuan!

Indeed, he is the top ranked scholar.

Zhuan Heqiao stared directly into my eyes, her tone utterly detached. I muttered under my breath:

In our past lives, he did not hold that position.

Indeed. He has also been reborn.

Why not dispose of him sooner?

Uncomprehending, I voiced my doubt. To my way of thinking, eliminating Xie Yuan before he could fully mature was the only way to permanently root out future disaster.

Killing him is effortless, but we must squeeze every last ounce of value from him.

Besides, Xie Yuan truly possesses exceptional talent. In my past life, the reason I married him was precisely because I genuinely admired his abilities. It is only regrettable that the enticements dangled by my imperial cousin were far too tempting, while Xie Yuan himself proved far too impatient.

He merely lost a single game of chess, nothing more to be said.

With that, Zhuan Heqiao lifted the carriage curtain. Her gaze happened to brush against Xie Yuan, who was still standing beneath the red wall. Zhuan Heqiao offered him a faint, delicate, and feignedly shy smile. Then, she let the curtain drop, her expression instantly returning to its usual calmness.

In truth, Xie Yuan accusing my entire family in our past life was not entirely unjustified.

It was simply not treason against the realm.

It was an attempted usurpation. The answer crystallized within my heart. The Emperor harbored a deep-seated dread of the Grand Princess estate. The purging of this entire clan was merely a matter of time. If they chose not to resist, they would be reduced to mere fish on a chopping board.

What is this, are you afraid now?

Zhuan Heqiao asked with a light laugh. I replied:

This lifetime was a windfall to begin with. Even if we lose, we have lost nothing; if we win, it is pure profit!

Upon returning to the estate, Zhuan Heqiao led me directly to the courtyard of the Grand Princess. The Grand Princess was the Emperor paternal aunt. Years ago, the Emperor could never have secured his grasp upon the Dragon Throne without the unwavering support of the Grand Princess.